Lens module with auto-focusing mechanism and electronic device

ABSTRACT

A lens module with auto-focusing mechanism includes a plastic lens barrel, a lens assembly, an auto-focusing mechanism and a coil regulating structure. The plastic lens barrel includes a front end portion, a rear end portion and an outer side portion, wherein the front end portion includes a front end surface and a front end hole, the rear end portion includes a rear end opening, the outer side portion connects the front end portion and the rear end portion. The lens assembly is disposed in the plastic lens barrel, and includes a plurality of lens elements. The auto-focusing mechanism is connected to the plastic lens barrel, and includes a coil being polygon. The coil regulating structure is located on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel, and is integrated with the plastic lens barrel, wherein the coil is connected and positioned to the coil regulating structure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/838,536, filed on Aug. 28, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,718,924, whichclaims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 104211651, filedJul. 20, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a lens module with auto-focusingmechanism. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a lensmodule with auto-focusing mechanism applicable to mobile terminals.

Description of Related Art

In general, the voice-coil motor (VCM) is applied to the optical lensfor providing an auto-focusing, and the coil of voice-coil motor isgenerally assembled on the carrier. The conventional optical lens moduleprovides the auto-focusing function by assembling the carrier with coiland the lens barrel of the optical lens.

However, the assembling of the carrier and the lens barrel usuallyaffects the precision of the optical lens module.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a lens module withauto-focusing mechanism includes a plastic lens barrel, a lens assembly,an auto-focusing mechanism and a coil regulating structure. The plasticlens barrel includes a front end portion, a rear end portion and anouter side portion, wherein the front end portion includes a front endsurface and a front end hole, the rear end portion includes a rear endopening, the outer side portion connecting the front end portion and therear end portion. The lens assembly is disposed in the plastic lensbarrel, and includes a plurality of lens elements. The auto-focusingmechanism is connected to the plastic lens barrel, and includes a coilbeing polygon. The coil regulating structure is located on the outerside portion of the plastic lens barrel, and is integrated with theplastic lens barrel, wherein the coil is connected and positioned to thecoil regulating structure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism accordingto the aforementioned aspect.

According to further another aspect of the present disclosure, a lensmodule with auto-focusing mechanism includes a plastic lens barrel, alens assembly, at least four plane surfaces, at least four protrudingstructures, at least one elastic member and an auto-focusing mechanism.The plastic lens barrel includes a front end portion, a rear end portionand an outer side portion. The front end portion includes a front endsurface and a front end hole. The rear end portion includes a rear endopening. The outer side portion connects the front end portion and therear end portion. The lens assembly is disposed in the plastic lensbarrel, and includes a plurality of lens elements. The plane surfacesare located on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel, areintegrated with the plastic lens barrel, and parallel to an optical axisof the lens assembly. The protruding structures are located on the outerside portion of the plastic lens barrel and integrated with the plasticlens barrel, each of the protruding structures extends along a directionparallel to an optical axis of the lens assembly. The elastic member isconnected to the protruding structures of the plastic lens barrel. Theauto-focusing mechanism is connected to the plane surfaces of theplastic lens barrel.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism accordingto the aforementioned aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a lens module with auto-focusing mechanismaccording to the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel and a lens assemblyaccording to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the plastic lens barrel and the coilaccording to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a three dimensional top view of the plastic lens barrelaccording to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a three dimensional bottom view of the plastic lens barrelaccording to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the coil and a field magnet assemblyaccording to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel and a coil of thelens module with auto-focusing mechanism according to the 2nd embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a schematic view of the coil and a field magnet assemblyaccording to the 2nd embodiment of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel and a coil of thelens module with auto-focusing mechanism according to the 3rd embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a schematic view of the coil and a field magnet assemblyaccording to the 3rd embodiment of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel and a coil of thelens module with auto-focusing mechanism according to the 4th embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a schematic view of the coil and a field magnet assemblyaccording to the 4th embodiment of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel and a coil of thelens module with auto-focusing mechanism according to the 5th embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a schematic view of the coil and a field magnet assemblyaccording to the 5th embodiment of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a sectional view of the lens module with auto-focusingmechanism according to the 5th embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an electronic device according to the 6thembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a lens module with auto-focusing mechanism100 according to the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 isa sectional view of a plastic lens barrel 110 and a lens assembly 120according to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the lensmodule with auto-focusing mechanism 100 includes the plastic lens barrel110, the lens assembly 120, an auto-focusing mechanism (its referencenumeral is omitted) and a coil regulating structure (its referencenumeral is omitted). The lens assembly 120 is disposed in the plasticlens barrel 110, the auto-focusing mechanism is connected to the plasticlens barrel 110, and the coil regulating structure is located on theouter side of the plastic lens barrel.

In detail, the plastic lens barrel 110 includes a front end portion 111,a rear end portion 112 and an outer side portion 113. The front endportion 111 includes a front end surface 111 a and a front end hole 111b, wherein the front end hole 111 b can be a stop, to be more specific,the front end hole 111 b can be an aperture stop, so that the complexityof the mechanism design can be reduced. The rear end portion 112includes a rear end opening (its reference numeral is omitted), and theouter side portion 113 connects the front end portion 111 and the rearend portion 112. The plastic lens barrel 110 can be made of injectionmolding method, and can be made of LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer), PA(PolyAmide) or PC (PolyCarbonate). Furthermore, the outer side portion113 of the plastic lens barrel 110 can be a non-threaded structure, thusthe convenience of assembling can be increased.

The lens assembly 120 is disposed in the plastic lens barrel 110, andincludes a plurality of lens elements. The lens assembly 120 has anoptical axis X. When the lens assembly 120 is disposed in the plasticlens barrel 110, the central axis of the plastic lens barrel 110 can bealigned with the optical axis X, and the optical axis X represents asboth of the optical axis of the lens assembly 120 and the central axisof the plastic lens barrel 110 hereafter.

The auto-focusing mechanism can be a voice-coil motor for providing theauto-focusing characteristic to the lens module, that is, theauto-focusing mechanism is for achieving the auto-focusing function bytelescopically driving the plastic lens barrel 110 and the lens assembly120. It is favorable for obtaining the compact size of the lens modulewith auto-focusing mechanism. The auto-focusing mechanism can include acoil 131 connected and surrounded the outer side portion 113 of theplastic lens barrel 110, wherein the coil 131 can be AF (Auto-focusing)coil.

The coil regulating structure is located on the outer side portion 113of the plastic lens barrel 110, and is integrated with the plastic lensbarrel 110, thus the coil 131 is connected and positioned to the coilregulating structure. In detail, the coil regulating structure includesat least four plane surfaces 141 parallel to the optical axis X, and areintegrated with the plastic lens barrel 110. The coil 131 is polygonwhich is positioned on the plane surfaces 141. Therefore, the coil 131can be assembled on the outer side portion 113 of the plastic lensbarrel 110 stably for enhancing the assembling stability. Moreover, theplane surfaces 141 are equidistantly surrounded the optical axis X, sothat the coil 131 can be surrounded the plastic lens barrel 110 equallyand stably.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the plastic lens barrel 110 and the coil131 according to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1. According to the 1stembodiment of the present disclosure, the outer side portion 113 of theplastic lens barrel 110 includes four plane surfaces symmetricallylocated thereon, and the coil 131 is octagon, wherein four sides of thecoil 131 which are symmetrical to each other are connected andpositioned to the four plane surfaces 141 on the outer side portion 113of the plastic lens barrel 110.

The lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 of the presentdisclosure can further include at least four protruding structures andat least one elastic member, wherein the protruding structures arelocated on the outer side portion 113 of the plastic lens barrel 110,and integrated with the plastic lens barrel 110, each of the protrudingstructures extends along a direction parallel to an optical axis X. Theelastic member is connected to the protruding structures of the plasticlens barrel. Therefore, the complexity of the assembling process can besimplified, and the elastic member can be located in the lens modulewith auto-focusing mechanism stably. Preferably, the lens module withauto-focusing mechanism can include at least six protruding structures.

FIG. 4A is a three dimensional top view of the plastic lens barrel 110according to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 4B is a threedimensional bottom view of the plastic lens barrel 110 according to the1st embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B, the elastic member ofthe lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 according to the 1stembodiment includes a first elastic member 161 and a second elasticmember 162, and a number of the protruding structures is eight, whichincludes four first protruding structures 150 a and four secondprotruding structures 150 b. In detail, the first protruding structures150 a located on the outer side portion 113 of the plastic lens barrel110 parallel to the direction parallel to the optical axis X, so thatthe first elastic member 161 can be disposed thereon. The four firstprotruding structures 150 a are symmetrically located on the outer sideportion 113, so that the first elastic member 161 can be connecteduniformly, and the uniformity of the elastic supporting force providedby the first elastic member 161 will not be affected. The secondprotruding structures 150 b are symmetrically located on the rear endportion 112 for connecting the second elastic member 162 uniformly, sothat the uniformity of the elastic supporting force provided by thesecond elastic member 162 will not be affected.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the coil 131 and a field magnet assemblyaccording to the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 5, theauto-focusing mechanism of the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism100 can further include a field magnet assembly (its reference numeralis omitted) surrounded and adjacent to the coil 131. The field magnetassembly can include at least four field magnet units 132 symmetricallysurrounded the coil 131. Each of the field magnet units 132 has an innersurface 132 a, wherein the inner surface 132 a of each of the fieldmagnet units 132 is parallel and corresponds to each of the planesurfaces 141 of the coil regulating structure. When the coil 131 issurrounded on the outer side portion 113 of the plastic lens barrel 110and connected to the plane surfaces 141 of the outer side portion 113,the inner surface 132 a are symmetrically surrounded the coil 131, andparallel and adjacent to the coil 131. Therefore, the interactionbetween the field magnet units 132 and the coil 131 can be uniformed,and the telescopic movement of the lens module with auto-focusingmechanism can be further stable. Moreover, according to the 1stembodiment, the coil 131 is octagon, so that the electromagneticactuated efficiency between the field magnet units 132 and the coil 131can be enhanced.

In FIG. 1, generally, the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism canfurther include a holder 170, a cover 171, a spacer 172, a circuit board174 and an imaging element 175. The plastic lens barrel 110, the lensassembly 120, the auto-focusing mechanism, the coil regulatingstructure, the protruding structures and the elastic member are locatedin the cover 171, and the holder 170 and the cover 171 are connected toeach other, so that the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 cabbe applied to electronic devices, and will not be affected by the outerenvironment.

The spacer 172 is disposed on an inner side of the cover 171 and can beconnected to other elements of the lens module with auto-focusingmechanism, so that it is favorable for arranging the elements in thecover 171. Furthermore, the first elastic member 161 can be connected tothe spacer 172, so that the first elastic member 161 can be furtherstably disposed in the cover 171.

The holder 170 can further be connected to the circuit board 174, andthe imaging element 175 can be disposed on the circuit board 174. Theimaging element 175 is for receiving the imaging light from the lensassembly 120.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel 110 and a coil 131of the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 according to the 2ndembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B is a schematic view of thecoil 131 and a field magnet assembly according to the 2nd embodiment ofFIG. 6A. In FIG. 6A, according to the 2nd embodiment, the plastic lensbarrel 110 includes eight plane surfaces 141 symmetrically located onthe outer side portion (its reference numeral is omitted in FIG. 6A)thereof, and the coil 131 is octagon, wherein the four sides of the coil131 which are symmetrical to each other are connected and positioned tothe eight plane surfaces 141 of the plastic lens barrel 110.

In FIG. 6B, according to the 2nd embodiment, the field magnet assembly(its reference numeral is omitted) includes four field magnet units 132symmetrically surrounded the coil 131. Each of the field magnet units132 has an inner surface 132 a, wherein the inner surface 132 a of eachof the field magnet units 132 is parallel and corresponds to each of theplane surfaces 141 of the coil regulating structure. When the coil 131is surrounded on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel 110and connected to the plane surfaces 141 of the outer side portion, theinner surface 132 a are symmetrically surrounded the coil 131, andparallel and adjacent to the coil 131.

FIG. 7A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel 110 and a coil 131of the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 according to the 3rdembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B is a schematic view of thecoil 131 and a field magnet assembly according to the 3rd embodiment ofFIG. 7A. In FIG. 7A, according to the 3rd embodiment, the plastic lensbarrel 110 includes eight plane surfaces 141 symmetrically located onthe outer side portion (its reference numeral is omitted in FIG. 7A)thereof, and the sectional view of the eight plane surfaces 141 isoctagon. The coil 131 is octagon, and the sides of the coil 131 areconnected and positioned to the eight plane surfaces 141 of the plasticlens barrel 110.

In FIG. 7B, according to the 3rd embodiment, the field magnet assembly(its reference numeral is omitted) includes four field magnet units 132symmetrically surrounded the coil 131. Each of the field magnet units132 has an inner surface 132 a, wherein the inner surface 132 a of eachof the field magnet units 132 is parallel and corresponds to each of theplane surfaces 141 of the coil regulating structure. When the coil 131is surrounded on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel 110and connected to the plane surfaces 141 of the outer side portion, theinner surface 132 a are symmetrically surrounded the coil 131, andparallel and adjacent to the coil 131.

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel 110 and a coil 131of the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 according to the 4thembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is a schematic view of thecoil 131 and a field magnet assembly according to the 4th embodiment ofFIG. 8A. In FIG. 8A, according to the 4th embodiment, the plastic lensbarrel 110 includes four plane surfaces 141 symmetrically located on theouter side portion (its reference numeral is omitted in FIG. 8A)thereof, the coil 131 is octagon, wherein the four sides of the coil 131which are symmetrical to each other are connected and positioned to thefour plane surfaces 141 of the plastic lens barrel 110.

In FIG. 8B, according to the 4th embodiment, the field magnet assembly(its reference numeral is omitted) includes four field magnet units 132symmetrically surrounded the coil 131. Each of the field magnet units132 has an inner surface 132 a, wherein the inner surface 132 a of eachof the field magnet units 132 is parallel and corresponds to each of theplane surfaces 141 of the coil regulating structure. When the coil 131is surrounded on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel 110and connected to the plane surfaces 141 of the outer side portion, theinner surface 132 a are symmetrically surrounded the coil 131, andparallel and adjacent to the coil 131.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of a plastic lens barrel 110 and a coil 131of the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 according to the 5thembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9B is a schematic view of thecoil 131 and a field magnet assembly according to the 5th embodiment ofFIG. 9A. In FIG. 9A, according to the 5th embodiment, the plastic lensbarrel 110 includes four plane surfaces 141 symmetrically located on theouter side portion (its reference numeral is omitted in FIG. 9A)thereof, the coil 131 is octagon, wherein the four sides of the coil 131which are symmetrical to each other are connected and positioned to thefour plane surfaces 141 of the plastic lens barrel 110.

In FIG. 9B, according to the 5th embodiment, the field magnet assembly(its reference numeral is omitted) includes four field magnet units 132symmetrically surrounded the coil 131. Each of the field magnet units132 has an inner surface 132 a, wherein the inner surface 132 a of eachof the field magnet units 132 is parallel and corresponds to each of theplane surfaces 141 of the coil regulating structure. When the coil 131is surrounded on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel 110and connected to the plane surfaces 141 of the outer side portion, theinner surface 132 a are symmetrically surrounded the coil 131, andparallel and adjacent to the coil 131.

FIG. 9C is a sectional view of the lens module with auto-focusingmechanism 100 according to the 5th embodiment of the present disclosure.In FIG. 9C, the cover 171 is coupled to the holder 170, so that theelements, such as the plastic lens barrel 110, the lens assembly 120 andthe coil 131 can be located therein. According to the 5th embodiment,the elements of the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 arearranged as the 1st embodiment of FIG. 1, and will not described againherein.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an electronic device 10 according to the6th embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 10, the electronicdevice 10 according to the 6th embodiment is a mobile phone, and theelectronic device 10 includes a lens module with auto-focusing mechanism100, wherein the lens module with auto-focusing mechanism 100 accordingto the 6th embodiment can be any one of the 1st to 5th embodiments inthe foregoing description, and will not described again herein.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. It is to be noted thatthe tables show different data of the different embodiments; however,the data of the different embodiments are obtained from experiments. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. The embodiments depicted above and theappended drawings are exemplary and are not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the scope of the present disclosure to the precise formsdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of theabove teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens module with auto-focusing mechanism,comprising: a plastic lens barrel comprising: a front end portioncomprising a front end surface, a front end hole and a circular wallportion surrounding the front end hole, the circular wall portion withinclined portions, the inclined portions are for forming a tip portionsurrounding the front end hole, and an acute angle between one of theinclined portions and an optical axis of the lens module is greater than0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees; a rear end portion comprising arear end opening; and an outer side portion connecting the front endportion and the rear end portion; at least four protruding structureslocated on the outer side portion of the plastic lens barrel; and a coilregulating structure located on the outer side portion of the plasticlens barrel; a lens assembly disposed in the plastic lens barrel, andcomprising a plurality of lens elements; an auto-focusing mechanismconnected to the plastic lens barrel, and comprising: a coil connectedand positioned to the coil regulating structure; and at least oneelastic member connected to the protruding structures; wherein the coilregulating structure is integrally formed with the plastic lens barrel,and the plastic lens barrel is made of injection molding method; whereinthe plastic lens barrel is a non-threaded structure; wherein the coilregulating structure is located on two sides of the coil along adirection parallel to an optical axis of the lens assembly, and the coilregulating structure is overlapped with the coil along the directionparallel to the optical axis from both of the two sides of the coil. 2.The lens module with auto-focusing mechanism of claim 1, wherein theauto-focusing mechanism is a voice-coil motor.
 3. The lens module withauto-focusing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the coil regulatingstructure comprises: at least two plane surfaces parallel to the opticalaxis of the lens assembly.
 4. The lens module with auto-focusingmechanism of claim 3, wherein the coil is positioned on the planesurfaces.
 5. The lens module with auto-focusing mechanism of claim 4,wherein the auto-focusing mechanism further comprises: a field magnetassembly surrounded and adjacent to the coil.
 6. The lens module withauto-focusing mechanism of claim 5, wherein the field magnet assemblycomprises: at least two field magnet units symmetrically surrounded thecoil, each of the field magnet units having an inner surface, whereinthe inner surface of each of the field magnet units is parallel andcorresponds to each of the plane surfaces of the coil regulatingstructure.
 7. The lens module with auto-focusing mechanism of claim 2,wherein the coil is polygon.
 8. The lens module with auto-focusingmechanism of claim 3, wherein the plane surfaces are equidistantlysurrounded the optical axis.
 9. An electronic device, comprising: thelens module with auto-focusing mechanism of claim 1.